Policies

Thank you for reviewing our policies, updated 3/24/2022. Please note that policies and procedures are subject to change.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety

The health and safety of our patrons, artists, and staff is of utmost priority. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival will follow all measures required by the CDC, the State of Illinois, our local government, and our partner unions. As you plan your visit, please review our updated safety measures.
If you are not feeling well or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the CDC, have been exposed to anyone with the virus within the last 14 days, or have been advised to self-quarantine within the last 10 days, please delay your visit to a later time and contact us to discuss rescheduling options.
Failure to follow these guidelines and/or directives of the staff could result in removal from the venue with no refund. Please note that these guidelines are subject to change and will be updated accordingly. Thank you in advance for working with us to ensure the safest possible experience.

Effective Monday, March 21, face coverings will be recommended, but not required within all University facilities, with an exception for University events when required by contract with speakers, performers, etc.

In addition to our standard cleaning process, we are increasing the cleaning and sanitizing frequency of all public spaces, including the theatre seats, restrooms, door handles, counters, and all shared surfaces. Cleaning will follow guidelines provided by Illinois State University Environmental Health and Safety.

By purchasing a ticket for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, you are agreeing to abide by all rules and guidelines put in place for the health and safety of all who work and attend the performances. Failure to follow these guidelines and/or directives of the staff could result in removal from the venue with no refund.

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival will be running at full capacity for Ewing Theatre this summer with one exception: Due to Actors’ Equity Association guidelines, we have eliminated seats in the first row to provide more distance between patrons and the actors on stage.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival seat cushions will be available for public use this season. Donations for use are appreciated.

For your convenience, all ticket orders will be available for pick-up one hour before all show-times at the performance venue (Ewing Theatre or Center for the Performing Arts Theatre).

If for any reason we must cancel performances due to COVID-19 changes, we will honor your commitment to us by offering a full array of ticket exchange and refund options.

All exchanges are based on availability and must include the actual paper tickets, if they have been received.
All exchanges must occur before the performance has begun. Exchanges are not possible after a performance has begun.
For the 2021 Season, there are no additional charges for ticket exchanges.

Please allow at least 20 minutes to park, collect tickets, and be seated in the theatre before the performance.
Seating assignments are valid only until curtain time. Latecomers will be seated only during an appropriate break in the play's action in available seats, as determined by the House Manager. This may not be until intermission.

Due to the unpredictability of Central Illinois weather, we will not make an early cancelation decision prior to 5 p.m. on the day of a performance. At 5 p.m., we will post on our website and Facebook whether we will be canceling the show or moving forward with the performance as planned.
In the case of rain during the performance, every effort will be made to complete the show, even through light showers. Should any performance be rained out before the first intermission, patrons have 2 business days to exchange their ticket(s) for another performance. If a performance is stopped after the first intermission, the evening will be considered complete, and NO ticket exchanges will be made. View our full policies on Weather Cancellations.

A valid ticket must be produced to an usher in order to enter the theatre.
The Festival reserves the right to refuse admission or to request any ticket holder to leave the theatre and take appropriate action to enforce this right.
In the event of a canceled performance, the Festival will not be liable for any additional travel or accommodation expenses.
The Festival reserves the right to make alterations to the advertised details for the performance at short notice (e.g. cast changes). In these instances, the Festival is not obliged to refund the ticket or exchange for another performance.
On rare occasions, the performance or public areas may be filmed, sound recorded, or photographed. Buying this ticket affirms your consent to the filming, sound recording, and/or photography of yourself as a member of the audience and possible subsequent broadcast/publication.
The Festival cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage to your personal property while at the venue.
The unauthorized use of cameras, videos, or any other sort of audio or visual recording equipment is strictly forbidden.
Mobile phones and other noise-making devices must be turned off prior the start of the performance and remain off during the performance.
Strobe lighting, smoke effects, loud bangs, etc. are sometimes used in productions. Please contact the Box Office for further details.

Yes! Concessions and merchandise will return to the Festival for 2022.
Patrons are welcome to picnic on the lawn and encouraged to maintain 6 ft. of social distance from other parties.
Please do not dispose of unused beverages on the lawn. Please use the trash receptacles.
Public water fountains will be available for use. Patrons may bring their own water into the theatre.

Parking is available at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Please visit Parking & Directions for more information.

Programs will be available as both hard copy and digital this season. Please visit Plays for all of the program information, including play synopses, cast lists, bios, our donor roll, and more.

As a non-profit organization weathering this storm, the Festival is grateful for your continued support. Please consider a gift to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society Fund.

Thank you so much for your gift! Our donor levels and benefits have been updated for the 2022 Season. Levels are calculated as of June 16, 2021.
Please reach out to shake@IllinoisState.edu with questions or to redeem your benefits.

The Box Office is available at (309) 438-2535, Monday-Friday (from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. during the school year and noon-4 p.m. during the summer) or by email at FineArtsTickets@IllinoisState.edu.